ELON, N.C. – The Columbia men's tennis team started the fall season at the Elon Invitational hosted by Elon at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center this weekend. Several members of the team competed at a high level, with senior Nicolas Kotzen capturing the singles title.

N. Kotzen, ranked No. 20 in the ITA Preseason Poll, got his 2025-26 season off to a strong start with three solid wins on Friday to open the tournament. Kotzen soundly defeated Juan Cruz Collardin of Coastal Carolina in straight sets. Later that day, he and doubles partner Jordan Chang claimed a pair of quick wins in doubles play. 

Kotzen continued his strong play with a pair of straight-set victories in singles play on Saturday, setting up an appearance in the title round on Sunday. After winning the first set 6-3, Kotzen battled his way to a 7-5 win over South Carolina State's Mikalai Bankou to claim the title. 

On Sunday, Kotzen and Chang teamed up to defeat UNC Wilmington's Alex Degabriele and Jordan Domenech 6-3 to capture the doubles crown.

Sophomores Andrew Kotzen and Jung Hee You also got some extended play over the weekend. The duo wrapped up their weekend with wins in singles play and partnered for a win in doubles action. 
The Lions will return to action next Friday when they participate in the three-day Columbia Classic hosted by South Carolina. 
 
DAY 1 RESULTS 
Singles A-Flight Draw
#20 Nicolas Kotzen (COL) def. Juan Cruz Collardin (CCU), 6-2, 6-4
Thomas Vesantera Brandao (VT) def. Jordan Chang (COL), 6-1, 7-5
Mikalai Bankou (SCSU) def. Andrew Kotzen (COL), 6-2, 6-4
Jung Hee You (COL) def. William Elmers (UNCG), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4

Doubles A-Flight Draw
Nicolas Kotzen/Jordan Chang (COL) def. Emilio Sanchez/Andres Medus (CHAR), 6-3
Nicolas Kotzen/Jordan Chang (COL) def. Mikalai Bankou/Illiyas Maratuly (SCSU), 6-0
Juan Andres Listo/Oscar Martinez (ETSU) def. Jung Hee You/Andrew Kotzen (COL), 6-2
Alexander Thomopason/Oscar Baumgartner (WIL) def. Jung Hee You/Andrew Kotzen (COL), 6-1
 
DAY 2 RESULTS
Singles A-Flight Draw
#20 Nicolas Kotzen (COL) def. Emilio Sanchez (CHAR), 6-2, 6-1
#20 Nicolas Kotzen (COL) def. Eyal Shumilov (VT), 6-3, 6-3
Jordi Domenech (WIL) def. Jordan Chang (COL) 6-4, 6-0
Veljko Krstic (ELON) def. Andrew Kotzen (COL), 6-4, 6-1
Andrew Kotzen (COL) Juan Cruz Collardin (CCU), 4-6, 6-4(10-8)
Jung Hee You (COL) def. Evan Rigsby (GSU), 6-4, 6-4
Jung Hee You (COL) def. Arenui Luethi (ETSU), 6-1, 6-1
 
DAY 3 RESULTS
Singles A-Flight Draw
#20 Nicolas Kotzen (COL) def. Mikalai Bankou (SCSU), 6-3, 7-5
Jung Hee You (COL) def. Charlie Burdell (RICH), 6-4, 6-1
Andrew Kotzen (COL) def. William Elmers (GREEN), 6-4, 6-2

Doubles Draw
Nicolas Kotzen/Jordan Chang (COL) def. Alex Degabriele/Jordi Domenech (WIL), 6-3
Jung Hee You/Andrew Kotzen (COL) def. Jack Curtis/Charles Pilet (ELON) 6-3
 
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